And I turned myself to behold wisdom and madness and folly. For what [can] the man [do] who comes after the king? [Even] that which has been done long ago.

For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, without him?

I know that, whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it. And God has done it that men should fear before him.

Whatever has been, the name of it was given long ago, and it is know what man is. Neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.

For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Consider the work of God. For who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?

That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

For he knows not that which shall be, for who can tell him how it shall be?

A fool also multiplies words; [yet] man knows not what shall be, and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?